"Avatar: Fire and Ash" struggles at box office

James Cameron's "Avatar: Fire and Ash" had high expectations following the success of its predecessor, The Way of Water, but its box office opening tells a different story.

Despite a strong start, the film's performance has disappointed, especially compared to the massive $134 million domestic debut of The Way of Water in 2022, OutKick writes. 

Fire and Ash opened with a domestic gross of $89 million, nearly 34% lower than The Way of Water's opening. When adjusted for inflation, the gap widens to over 40%. Internationally, the sequel earned $258 million, a significant sum but still a decline from the previous film's $307 million. 

Despite the lower opening, industry expectations remain that the film will turn a profit, especially with the upcoming holiday period boosting ticket sales. However, this drop-off signals potential franchise fatigue, with many citing the repetitive nature of the series or shifts in viewer preferences towards streaming and rising theater prices.

For Outkick, the struggles of Fire and Ash could be seen as part of a broader trend of diminishing returns for sequels and tentpole franchises. Hollywood’s reliance on blockbuster franchises may be waning, and Avatar, once thought of as an unstoppable force, might not be the savior it once appeared to be. If the Avatar franchise can't maintain interest, the list of reliable box-office draws for Hollywood continues to shrink.

By Sabina Mammadli